Early Meetings Of The Grand Lodge Of England.

because of the great accession of Gentlemen who did not Avant such sums , Avere feeling the need of their old system being restored , under the Grand Lodge , determined to make strenuous efforts to help them . From St . James' Evening Post 1733 is

, , extracted as follows : — " On Monday next , at eight in the morning , the Society of " Honorary Freemasons" will proceed from Whitehall in seA'eral barges to Bickmoncl , Avith a grand concert of music , and return to Fulham ,

where an . elegant entertainment will be provided for them . " At the Grand Lodge held March 30 th , 1734 , the same paper states , "They also appointed Rev . Mr . Crater Henley for their Chaplain for the ensuing year , " and that

John Ward , Esq ., appointed Senior Grand Warden " Avas M . P . for NeAvcastle under Lyne . " We look in vain for any report of the appointment of Bro . Henley in any of the Books of Constitutionsbut there is no

, reason to doubt the fact of such an office being then customary , though no AA'ord is said about such office ( Grand Chaplain ) , until many years subsequently , Avhen the unfortunate Rev . William Doclcl , D . D . AA'as appointed

The Rev . Bro . Henley signalized his appointment by the following advertisement iu "St . James' Evening Post , " June 23 rd , 1733 .

"By command of the Rt . Hon . ancl Rt . Worshipful the Grand Master of the Antient , ancl Honourable Society of free and accepted Masons of the last General Assembly , Mercer ' s Hall , and for the entertainment of the Brethren ,

At the Oratory , The corner of Lincoln ' s Inn Fields , near Clare Market , on Thursday nevt , the 25 tb of this instant , June , at 6 in the eA'ening , Avill be delivered an Eulogium

upon Freemasonry , The first oration on that subject . "N . B . —At the Feast the Brethren Avere desired by the Grand Officers , to come clothed to this oration . It will be spoken

in the proper habiliment . " Price of the seats to all persons whatsoeA'er , Masons or others—Two shillings . " It Avas not thefirst Oration on Freemasonry , but we should much like to know Avhat was said by our Bro . Orator Henley .

Curfew Must Not Ring To-Night.

CURFEW MUST NOT RING TO-NIGHT .

i . England's sun Avas slowly setting o ' er the hills so far aAvay , Filled the land Avith misty beauty at the close of one sad day , Ancl the last rays kissed the forehead of a

man and maiden fair—He Avith step so SIOAV ancl Aveary , she with sunny-floating hair ; He with boAved head sad and thoughtful ,

she Avith lips so cold ancl Avhite , Struggled to keep back the murmur , " CurfeAv must not ring to night . " ii . " Sexton , " Bessie ' s white lips faltered , pointing to the prison old ,

With its Avails so tall and gloomy , walls so dark and clamp ancl cold , " I've a lover in that prison , doomed this A'ery night to die At the ringing of the Curfew , and no earthly help is nigh .

Cromwell AA'UI not come till sunset , " and her face grew strangely Avhite , As she spoke in husky Avhisper , " Curfew must not ring to-night . "

in . " Bessie , " calmly spoke the sexton—every word pierced her young heart Like a thousand gleaming arrows , like a deadly-poisoned dart" Long years I've rang the CurfeAv from

that gloomy-shadoAved toAver , Every evening just at sunset it as tolled the TAA'ilight hour ; I've clone my duty ever , tried to do it just right , NOAV I ' m old and will not miss it , girl ; the CurfeAv rings to-night . "

IV . Wild her eyes , and pale her features , stern and white her thoughtful brow , A nd within her heart ' s deep centre , Bessie made a solemn VOAV , She had listened while the judges read

without a tear or sigh , " At the ringing of the Curfew , Basil Underwood TOUSJ die . " And her breath came fast and faster , and

her eyes grew large and bright , One IOAV murmur , scarcely spoken , " Curfew must not ring to-night . "